With a vote on two school bond ballot measures just weeks away, Lake Orion administrators outlined the potential benefits of the $33.2 million bond Wednesday at the Orion Township Public Library.
Voters will decide Aug. 6 on two ballot items aimed at funding capital improvements throughout the district. One measure, Proposition A, is valued at $28.7 million at 1.15 mills and aims to increase safety, security and efficiency in district facilities, while Proposition B, valued at $4.5 million at 0.18 mills, promises additional enhancements and technology improvements.
Superintendent Marion Ginopolis and Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance John Fitzgerald addressed a crowd of about 10 people—mostly board members and district employees—Wednesday at the Orion Township Public Library. (View the PowerPoint presentation in PDF form, attached above)
If approved, Proposition A would cost property owners with a $150,000 market value and $75,000 taxable value a total of about $86.25 per year. Proposition B would cost the same property owners a total of $13.50 per year.
The bond is broken down into four categories of improvements, with 44 percent of the $33.2 million earmarked for technology infrastructure and equipment upgrades, 41 percent going toward infrastructure, facility and site upgrades, 10 percent toward increasing safety and security and 5 percent for furnishings and equipment. The bond repayment period is estimated at 19.5 years, Fitzgerald said, with technology upgrades estimated to be paid off within the first five years.
According to the ballot language, Proposition A includes:
- Acquiring and installing technology equipment and technology infrastructure in school buildings and other facilities
- Remodeling, equipping, re-equipping, furnishing and re-furnishing school buildings and other facilities to enhance security for other purposes, and
- Preparing, developing and improving sites at school buildings, athletic fields and other facilities.
- Acquiring and installing technology equipment and technology infrastructure in school buildings and other facilities,
- Remodeling, equipping, re-equipping, furnishing and re-furnishing school buildings, athletic facilities, athletic fields and other facilties,
- Erecting a multi-purpose team room at the high school athletic field, and
- Preparing, developing and improving sites at school buildings, athletic fields and other facilties.
Among the building upgrades proposed in the bond are roof replacements and restorations. Fitzgerald said some district buildings, including Stadium Elementary, have had rooftop drainage issues leading to flooding and water leaking into classrooms with pricey equipment.
The technology upgrades include mobile device carts for classrooms, which Ginopolis said would lead to more active, hands-on engagement in classrooms.
"We really feel technology is the new paper and pencil," she said.
The proposals include $5.8 million worth of technology equipment purchases, including $2.1 million in new desktop computers, $2.3 million in laptop and netbook computers and $1.5 million in tablet computers.
Ginopolis and Fitzgerald said timing is important for proposing such a bond measure, citing lower labor and materials costs that could increase in price in upcoming years, and the urgent need for the building upgrades.
A second community forum will be held 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24 at the Orion Township Public Library, 825 Joslyn Road in Lake Orion.
More information:
- Click here to watch video of Lake Orion Community Schools' Bond Information Night
- Check here for all district-issued documents regarding the bond
- The election date for the bond is Tuesday, Aug. 6. The last day to vote absentee is Monday, Aug. 5.
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